UCLA Basketball: Insider Projects Bruins Forward Could Become 2024 All-American

He's the main man this season!

After a majority of their tournament core from the past three years have departed from coach Mick Cronin's disposal, one Bruin is eager for an expanded role and possibly some national recognition.

Adem Bona returns to UCLA's campus ready for a new challenge in his sophomore campaign, one that could warrant national attention in the eyes of at least one pundit: Dick Vitale of ESPN, who places Bona among his preseason picks for an All-America third team selection, along with Duke's Kyle Filipowski, Mississippi State's Tolu Smith,  Michigan State's Tyson Walker, and Texas' Max Abmas.

Though no longer a freshman "diaper dandy" in the affectionate words of Vitale, Bona has a chance to make headlines from not just the Southern California media, but college basketball across the nation. 

An All-American nod would already add to an impressive profile for the Nigerian born Turkish international. 

Profiling as one the best players in the 2024 class, Bona is a monster on the glass with a terrifying defensive presence that will only be more prominent for a Bruins team missing many of their previous March heroes. 

Bona's contribution for the 2023 NCAA tourney were severely limited with both a facial injury on top of a shoulder issue that got re-aggravated after he initially suffered the ailment in the Pac-12 tournament. 

The big man's addition to UCLA's rotation against Gonzaga would've likely provided a different outcome than Drew Timme dominating his individual matchup with the Bruins' bigs. 

Though it took a deep Julian Strawther three to eventually win the game for the Bulldogs at the death, Bona's presence likely would've made such a shot unnecessary for UCLA's victory. 

Not willing to live in the past, the projected first round pick by both analysts and his own head coach will want to prove those predictions true for a UCLA team that needs his play more than they ever have.